
March S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESH26) are trending down -0.12% this morning as investors assess the potential impact of conflict in the Middle East and await a raft of U.S. economic data, with particular attention on the Fed’s favorite inflation gauge and the first estimate of fourth-quarter GDP.
The U.S. military is deploying a wide range of forces in the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers, fighter jets, and refueling tankers. U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had no more than 15 days to strike a deal over its nuclear program or “really bad things” would happen. The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump is considering an initial limited strike on military or government sites in Iran to pressure it into meeting his demands for a nuclear deal.